Kuldeep Yadav Joins Elite Club as 11th Spinner to Claim 100 IPL Wickets
In a captivating clash at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Kuldeep Yadav etched his name into IPL history by becoming the 11th spinner and the 28th bowler overall to reach the coveted milestone of 100 IPL wickets. The Delhi Capitals’ wrist-spinner achieved this feat during a high-stakes match against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday, underlining his growing stature as one of the league’s premier spin bowlers.
The defining moment arrived in the seventh over of Mumbai Indians’ innings when Kuldeep dismissed opener Ryan Rickelton. Bowling a tantalizing fullish delivery, Kuldeep lured Rickelton into attempting a slog-sweep. The batsman, down on one knee, mistimed his shot, sending the ball soaring towards deep square leg. Delhi’s fielder Madhav Tiwari tracked the ball impeccably, moving swiftly to his right to pouch a crucial catch, handing Kuldeep his milestone wicket.
Kuldeep’s achievement places him in an elite group of spinners who have dominated the IPL over the years. He joins the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Rashid Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy. Notably, Kuldeep has reached this milestone in fewer matches than many of his peers, showcasing his consistency and wicket-taking prowess. Among spinners, only a handful have reached 100 wickets in fewer games, a testament to his impact since his IPL debut in 2016 with Kolkata Knight Riders before moving to Delhi Capitals.
Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals’ stand-in captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to field first in what was billed as a do-or-die encounter for the final playoff spot. The decision paid dividends as Kuldeep, alongside his bowling unit, put Mumbai Indians under early pressure. With figures of 1/29 in his spell (as per latest updates), Kuldeep not only reached his personal milestone but also played a key role in disrupting MI’s batting lineup.
Kuldeep’s journey to 100 wickets has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. From battling injuries to reinventing his bowling action, the 29-year-old from Kanpur has shown remarkable resilience. His ability to deceive batsmen with sharp turn and variations in flight has made him a vital cog in Delhi Capitals’ setup. As the IPL progresses, Kuldeep will aim to climb higher in the wicket-takers’ list while guiding his team deeper into the tournament.
As we celebrate Kuldeep Yadav’s incredible achievement, it’s a reminder of the art of spin bowling in T20 cricket—a format often dominated by pace and power hitting. With this milestone, Kuldeep reaffirms that guile and intellect still have a significant place in the game. Can he spin Delhi Capitals to playoff glory? Only time will tell, but for now, his 100th wicket is a moment to savor for cricket fans worldwide.